Manchester United have cancelled Sunday's training session at the Hong Kong Stadium pitch due to concerns regarding player safety on the eve of the friendly with Kitchee FC on Monday.

Torrential rain has hit the area for most of the week and began again during Manchester City's Asia Trophy final against Sunderland on Saturday at the same venue.

In a statement, United described the decision as a joint one with the club, the Hong Kong Football Association, Kitchee FC, saying: "The pitch has suffered from torrential rainfall in the last week and has staged a number of games in a very short space of time. Wednesday's matches – Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City v South China – had their kick-offs delayed, only proceeding after being shortened to 40-minute halves.

"The weather has continued to present problems for the pitch and the first consideration of both the HKFA and Manchester United has to be the safety of the players in such conditions.

"The club has consulted with the Hong Kong FA and has also taken advice from Kitchee FC. In the absence of any other suitable facility at such short notice, the open session has regrettably been cancelled."